Blackberry Plant Named &#39;A-2491T&#39;

ABSTRACT

Description and specifications of a new and distinct cultivar of blackberry plant named ‘A-2491T’ that resulted from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘APF-46’ (non-patented, unreleased genotype)×‘Natchez’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,891). This new cultivar of blackberry plant can be distinguished by its large berries with very good sub-acid fruit flavor, overall high fruit quality with excellent postharvest fruit-handling potential, early season ripening, consistent high yields, and excellent plant health.

Latin name: Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson.

Varietal denomination: ‘A-2491T’.

BACKGROUND

The new floricane-fruiting cultivar of blackberry with the varietaldenomination of ‘A-2491T’ is described herein. The new cultivaroriginated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘APF-46’ (non-patented,unreleased genotype)×‘Natchez’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,891) made in2005. The seeds resulting from this controlled hybridization weregerminated in a greenhouse in the spring of 2006 and planted in a fieldnear Clarksville, Ark. (West-Central Arkansas). The seedlings fruited inthe summer of 2009 and one seedling, designated ‘A-2491T’, was selectedfor its large berries with very good sub-acid fruit flavor, overall highfruit quality with excellent postharvest fruit-handling potential, earlyseason ripening, consistent high yields, and excellent plant health.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘APF-46’(non-patented, unreleased genotype)×‘Natchez’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.20,891) made in 2005 and located near Clarksville, Ark. (West-CentralArkansas). The botanical designation of the new cultivar of blackberryis Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson. The seeds resulting from thiscontrolled hybridization were germinated in a greenhouse in the winterto early spring of 2006 and planted in a field near Clarksville, Ark.The seedlings fruited in the summer of 2009 on floricanes and oneseedling, designated ‘A-2491T’, was selected for its large berries withvery good sub-acid fruit flavor, overall high fruit quality withexcellent postharvest fruit-handling potential, early season ripening,consistent high yields, and excellent plant health.

During 2009, the original plant selection was propagated asexually fromroot cuttings at the above-noted location, and a test row of 20 plantswas established. Subsequently, larger test plantings have beenestablished with asexually multiplied plants at two locations inArkansas.

The new cultivar has been asexually multiplied annually since 2009 bythe use of root cuttings and by rooting adventitious shoots from rootcuttings. It forms new shoots from adventitious buds on root cuttingsreadily. During all asexual multiplication, the characteristics of theoriginal plant have been maintained and no aberrant phenotypes haveappeared.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyin color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a colorillustration of this character The plants were three years old of whichthe pictures were taken.

FIG. 1 includes three photographs of blackberry canes of ‘A-2491T’ withripe fruit on the plant.

FIG. 2. is a photograph of ripe fruit of ‘A-2491T’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing the abaxial and adaxial sides of aprimocane leaf of ‘A-2491T’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR ‘A-2491T’

Plants and fruit of this new cultivar differ phenotypically from itsparents. The new cultivar has thornless canes, larger fruit, is higheryielding and is floricane fruiting compared to its female parent‘APF-46.’ The new cultivar is lower in fruit acidity and smaller infruit size than its male parent ‘Natchez’. Although blackberries (Rubussubgenus Rubus Watson) are highly heterogeneous and outcrossing, andmost clones contain genes from more than one species, the new cultivarand its progenitor lines phenotypically exhibit characters predominatelyof the erect eastern United States species, Rubus allegheniensis Porter(highbush blackberry).

Plants of the new cultivar are vigorous and prolific and rowestablishment following planting is rapid. Both primocanes andfloricanes are erect in growth habit. The canes can be trained to aself-supporting hedgerow although it is beneficial to use a trellis withsupporting wires to prevent canes from falling over due to wind or heavyfruit loads. The plants are thornless. Plants and fruit are resistant toanthracnose (Elsinoe veneta (Burkh.) Jenkins), and plants have shown noevidence of susceptibility to orange rust (Gymnoconia nitens (Schwein.)F. Kern and H. W. Thurston.). No screening has been done for resistanceto double blossom/rosette (Cercosporella rubi (Wint.) Plakidas).

The bloom period of the new cultivar begins on average 27 April for 10%bloom and 7 May for 50% bloom and was very near that of ‘APF-45’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 22,449), ‘Osage’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,120) and‘Ouachita’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,162).

Fruit of the new cultivar has an average first harvest date of 9 Juneand was very near that of ‘Natchez’ and ‘APF-45’, one day earlier than‘Osage’ and four days earlier than ‘Ouachita’. The average floricanefruiting period is 50 days.

Fruit yields of the new cultivar on floricanes are on average 6.1 kg(13.5 lb/plant), comparable to that for ‘Natchez’ in West-CentralArkansas.

The fruit is long conical shaped, glossy with a uniform black finish.The primary floricane fruit is large (ave. 9.0 g) and comparable to‘Natchez’ and usually 3.0 g or larger than its similar-season comparisoncultivar ‘Osage’, and 2.0 to 2.5 g larger than ‘Ouachita’. Fruit size ofthe new cultivar can be reduced later in the harvest season, withaverage secondary and tertiary fruit sizes of 4-5.7 g berries providingfor an overall seasonal fruit size average of 6.1 g. The new cultivarexhibits excellent fruit fertility with full drupelet set. Fruitfirmness is a noteworthy characteristic as firmness was consistent. Reddrupelet reversion was substantially less than ‘Natchez’. The overallpostharvest storage potential of fresh fruit of the new cultivar isgreater than that of ‘Natchez’.

The dry seed weight for the new cultivar averaged 4.2 mg/seed, slightlysmaller than ‘APF-45’ (4.5 mg), ‘Ouachita’ (4.5 mg) and slightly largerthan ‘Osage’ (3.8 mg).

The fresh fruit rates very well in flavor and is a noteworthy attributeof the cultivar and is comparable to or exceeding that of ‘Natchez’.Consistent excellent flavor was noted at repeated observations of fruitof this cultivar over the years of evaluation. A primary fruitcharacteristic of ‘A-2491T’ is reduced acidity (0.89 g/L expressed ascitric acid) compared to the more acidic ‘Natchez’ (1.14 g/L). Theflavor is sweet and sub-acid, with desirable aromatics. The solublesolids concentration averages 9.2% on shiny black fruit, comparable to‘APF 45’, ‘Osage’, ‘Natchez’, and ‘Ouachita’. Fruit and flower clustersare medium-large, cymose, and are mostly borne on the periphery of theplant canopy, providing easy access to harvest. Flower fertility is highand clusters are well filled.

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomologicalcharacteristics of the subject blackberry. Color data are presented inRoyal Horticultural Society Color Chart designations (1986 2nd edition).Where dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, itis to be understood that such characteristics are approximations ofaverages set forth as accurately as practicable.

Plants used for botanical data were three years old and grown on a finesandy loam soil with drip irrigation at or near Clarksville, Ark. Theplants were fertilized near budbreak (late March on average) withcomplete or nitrogen fertilizer and had an additional nitrogenfertilizer application in early July. Primocanes were tipped atapproximately 1.14 m (45 inches) and grown in a hedgerow trainingsystem. Weeds were controlled with pre- and postemergence herbicidessupplemented with mechanical weed control activities. A singleapplication of liquid lime sulfur was applied to the plants at budbreak,but no other fungicides were used. The descriptions reported herein arefrom specimens grown near Clarksville, Ark.

-   Plant:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Plants are grown in a hedgerow and primocanes            tipped at approx., 1.14 m; plants in this system range in            size from approx. 107-140 cm tall and 91-102 cm wide.        -   Growth habit.—Upright, moderate vigor, canes erect; suckers            from the crown.        -   Growth rate.—Floricane first budbreak 24 Feb.; first            emergence of primocanes is 15 April and primocanes reach            tipping height (107 cm) on 4 June.-   Productivity:    -   -   Floricane.—6.1 kg/plant (13.5 lb).-   Cold hardiness: Hardy to 1.4° F. (−17° C.) or lower. The low    temperature of 1.4° F. was the lowest the cultivar has been exposed    to and fruited successfully after this exposure.-   Canes: Thornless, erect.    -   -   Floricane (dormant or winter cane).—Cane diameter: base 2.10            cm; midpoint 1.65 cm; terminal 0.74 cm. Internode length:            base 3.46 cm; midpoint 2.72 cm; terminal 4.14 cm. Floricane            color: base Greyed Orange (166A) on sun-exposed portion;            Green Group (143C) on shaded portion; midpoint Green Group            (143A); terminus Green Group (143A).        -   Primocane (current-season cane; late summer).—Cane diameter:            base 1.59 cm; midpoint 1.36 cm; terminal 1.09 cm. Internode            length: base 3.77 cm; midpoint 3.18 cm; terminal 3.72 cm.            Primocane color: base Grey Brown Group (199B) over Green            Group (143A); midpoint Grey Brown Group (199B) over Green            Group (143A), terminus Yellow Green Group (146B) over Grey            Brown Group (199A) (sun-exposed). Anthocyanin coloration            present on floricanes and primocanes with color most            prevalent on sun-exposed canes. Thorn density (per 30 cm of            cane length): none, plant is thornless. Disease resistance:            Moderate resistance to anthracnose, and plants appear immune            to orange rust. Lower susceptibility to leaf rust. No            screening has been done for resistance to double            blossom/rosette. Lateral branching after tipping (measured            at the end of growing season): Average number of lateral            branches: 3.0; distribution full length of cane.-   Foliage:    -   -   Primocane.—Leaves: large; mature compound leaf width 21.37            cm; length 21.85 cm Leaf shape: Compound leaf shape palmate.            Glossiness: Abaxial: dull, pubescence lightly present;            adaxial: moderate gloss, no pubescence present. Leaflet:            Width 9.35 cm; length 12.35 cm; shape lanceolate with acute            apex and oblique base; margin serrated, serration teeth            length 0.67 cm and width 0.46 cm; number of leaflets per            compound leaf: 5; venation pinnate; young leaf abaxial vein            color Yellow Green Group (146D); young leaf adaxial vein            color Yellow Green Group (146C); mature leaf abaxial leaf            vein color Yellow Green Group (147C); mature leaf adaxial            vein color Yellow Green Group (147D); no lobing on leaflets.            Color: Base abaxial Green Group (137B); adaxial Green Group            (139A); midpoint abaxial Green Group (137B); adaxial Green            Group (139A); terminal abaxial Green Group (137B); adaxial            Green Group (139A). Petioles: Length: 3.18 cm; color:            adaxial Yellow Green Group (145A) and abaxial Greyed Orange            (174B); diameter 0.36 cm; texture is smooth, no pubescence.            Petiolules: Length: 2.99 cm; diameter 0.20 cm; color:            adaxial Yellow Green Group (145A) and abaxial Greyed Orange            Group (177A); texture is light pubescence. Stipules: 2 per            leaf; length: 1.47 cm; width: 0.10 cm; texture pubescence is            light on abaxial surface and light on the adaxial surface.            Shape: overall shape lanceolate; apex acute; base acuminate;            margin: entire (smooth); Color: Green Group (141B) over            Green Group (141B)        -   Floricane.—Leaves: Medium; mature compound leaf width 15.64            cm; length 9.90 cm. Leaf shape: Compound leaf shape palmate.            Glossiness: Abaxial: glossy, no pubescence present; adaxial:            moderate gloss, pubescence lightly present. Leaflet: Width            6.93 cm; length 8.25 cm; shape ovate with acute apex and            oblique base; margin serrated, with serration teeth length            0.38 cm and width at base 0.46 cm; number of leaflets per            compound leaf: 3; venation pinnate; young leaf abaxial vein            color Yellow Green Group (147C); young leaf adaxial vein            color Yellow Green Group (152A); mature leaf abaxial leaf            vein color (147C); mature leaf adaxial vein color Yellow            Green Group (147A); no lobing on leaflets. Color: Base            abaxial Green Group (138A); adaxial Green Group (137A);            midpoint abaxial Green Group (138A); adaxial Green Group            (137A); terminal abaxial Yellow Green Group (138A); adaxial            Green Group (137A). Petioles: Length 4.19 cm; color: Greyed            Orange Group (177A); diameter 0.30 cm; texture waxy and            smooth, very light pubescence. Petiolules: Length 1.79 cm;            diameter 0.17 cm; Color: Yellow Green Group (145A) over            Greyed Orange Group (177A); diameter 0.17 cm; texture is            smooth and waxy with very light pubescence. Stipules: 2 per            leaf; length 1.04 cm; width: 0.23 cm; texture pubescence is            moderate on abaxial side and moderate on adaxial side.            Shape: overall shape lanceolate; apex acute; base acuminate;            margin: entire (smooth); Color: Green Group (139B) on both            abaxial and adaxial surfaces.-   Flowers:    -   -   Floricane.—Date of bloom: First bloom 27 April; 50% bloom 7            May. Reproductive organs: Stamens — erect, numerous. Pistils            — numerous. Pollen — normal, fertile, and abundant. Flower:            Diameter: 3.49 cm; depth: 1.28 cm; shape: overall: rotate;            symmetry: actinomorphic. Petals: Number per flower: 5;            length 1.77 cm; width 1.33 cm; shape: overall:            saucer-shaped; apex: rounded; margin: entire (smooth); base:            acuminate; color: White Group (155D), identical color on            both sides of petals. Petal Texture: Abaxial: no pubescence;            adaxial; no pubescence Flowers per cluster: 13. Sepals:            Number per flower: 5; length 1.02 cm; width: 0.44 cm; Shape:            overall: deltoid; apex: acuminate; margin: entire (smooth);            base: truncate; Texture: abaxial: moderate pubescence;            adaxial: heavy pubescence; Color: abaxial: Yellow Green            group (144A) with tip Red Purple Group 64-A; adaxial: Yellow            Green Group (145B). Pedicel: Length: 5.19 cm; width: 1.02            cm; Color: green group (138A); texture: heavy pubescence.            Peduncle: Length: 4.61 cm; width: 0.13 cm; color:            Yellow-Green Group (143A). Cyme: Type: simple cyme; length:            14.4 cm.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—Average first ripe date 9 June; average fruiting            period 50 days.        -   Size.—Large, average 6.1 g for the fruiting season with            primary berries average 9.0 g.        -   Diameter of fruit at primary position on            inflorescence.—equator 2.13 cm; base pole 1.83 cm; terminal            pole 1.28 cm.        -   Diameter of fruit at secondary positions on            inflorescence.—equator 1.80 cm; base pole 1.49 cm; terminal            pole 1.12 cm.        -   Primary fruit.—Length: 3.33 cm; Shape: long conical; Color:            Black Group (202A).        -   Drupelet size.—0.48 cm.        -   Drupelet number per fruit.—84.        -   Seed.—average length 0.38 cm; width 0.26 cm; dry weight 4.2            mg; color wet Greyed Orange Group (177B); color dry Greyed            Orange Group (165D).        -   Soluble solids.—9.2%.        -   pH.—3.12.        -   Acidity.—0.89 g/L (expressed as citric acid).        -   Processed quality.—Not evaluated for processing.        -   Uses.—Commercial fresh market cultivar with good potential            for shipping, local-market production, and home garden            production.-   The Cultivar: The most distinctive features of the cultivar are    large berries with very good, sub-acid fruit flavor, overall high    fruit quality with excellent postharvest fruit-handling potential,    early season ripening, consistent high yields, and excellent plant    health.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of blackberry plant named‘A-2491T’ substantially as illustrated and described herein.